Kaapi
A guide to brew south-Indian filter coffee (kaapi).
The purpose of this guide is to give you a basic framework to make a good cup of Kaapi. Every persons has got an unique taste. Just like with any other food or beverage coffee is also perceived differently by different people. But, there is a basic way of doing things correctly, and this guide is striving to provide it. Take the basic guideline and top up with your ideas and thoughts.
If it is too weak for you, add a gram or two more, if you feel, it is too strong, add some more milk, or reduce the amount of ground. Don’t expect to master the process in a day, learning to brew a good cup of coffee takes time, and some keen observation.
Have fun experimenting and when in doubt or feel like sharing anything, just shoot us a message at Coffee Shack
Things required to make Kaapi
Ingredients:
1. Coffee Powder
Use some good quality coffee ground. If you own a grinder and want to grind the beans, the ground size should be somewhere between espresso and aeropress grade.
2. Water
3. Milk
Whole milk will give a better taste over skimmed milk.
Also, it is easier to froth whole milk.
4. Sugar
According to taste.
Equipments:
1. South-Indian Coffee Filter/Maker
Parts of the Coffee Filter:
Bottom chamber/Tumbler; this is where the brewed coffee is collected
The top/upper perforated cup. This is where the ground coffee goes in.
Metal plunger with pierced bottom.
Cap/Lid
2. Cup
A filter coffee is best served in a traditional Madras cup and saucer or dabrah/davarah, feel free to use the one that you like.
The cup can also be used as a measuring tool. Using the same kind of cup will help you make good coffee consistently.
3. Spoon
Use the spoon to measure the amount of ground being used. For good result it is advised to use a measuring spoon.
4. Kitchen Towel/Roll
Making coffee is a messy business, it is handy to have some kind of rags or kitchen roll to keep things clean.
Procedure
Bring the water to a boil, wait till the bubbles settles down (approx. 30 secs.). Boiling water will burn the ground coffee, moreover it can spill over and burn you.
Heat the milk according to your preference.
Assemble the tumbler. Put the perforated part of the tumbler on the top of the steel cup.
Put the coffee ground/powder in the top tumbler. Amount of coffee: 25-29 g for 100-120 ml of water. If you don’t have a measuring scale, just fill the water till the top lining of the tumbler.
Place the lid on top of the tumbler and close it.
The dripping process will take somewhere between 10-20 minutes. It depends on the grind size of the coffee. The finer the ground, more is the time required.
Once halfway through, use the metal plunger and press the ground gently. Attention: the steel cup will be hot, please be careful!
Wait till the lower part of the tumbler is filled with coffee.
Add milk and sugar according to your taste. Serve it to your near, dear and loved ones and enjoy it and have a great time :)
Food that you can combine with your coffee:
1. Traditional breakfast items like: Upma, Idiappam, Paalappam, Idli, or Dosa.
2. Toast bread topped with some butter, cinnamon, and sugar or with jam.
3. Some salty foods also taste good with coffee; bread with cheese.
4. Cakes, bun, biscuits, brownies, pancakes, and cookies also taste very good with coffee.
5. Some other snacks like; samosas, patties and pakoras could also be had with coffee.
